Variable-feed mechanism for eyeleting and other machines.



F. L. HARMON. VARIABLE FEED MECHANISM FOR E'YELETING AND OTHER MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. I9l4.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

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FRANK L. HARMON, OF BEVERLY, IVEASSAe "USETTS, ASSIGNOB, T0 SINGER laIANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 19 1918.

Application filed May 12, 1914. Serial No. 837,985.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, FRANK L. HAR- MON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Beverly, county of Essex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Variable-Feed Mechanisms for Eyeleting and other Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts in each of the several views.

This invention relates to feed mechanisms and while havingother and more general fields of usefulness is well adapted, and here in illustratively shown, for controlling the operative elements of an eyeleting machine to feed the material and space the eyelets. A prime object of the invention is to provide a simplified, convenient and compact mechanism whereby the extent of an automatic feed can be variably set at minimum ranges and then without necessarily stopping the machine the extent of such automatic feed instantly shifted to a predetermined variable maximum feed, or vice versa. To this end in the preferred embodiment herein shown I provide a cam member having operating surfaces presenting operative circuits of different contour adapted to variably move an operated element in engagement therewith according to the operative circuit on said cam which it traverses. In accordance with a further feature of the invention, means is provided whereby the operated element cooperative with the cam may be shifted while the mechanism is in operation to bring it opposite and in operative relation to different operative circuits of said cam for variable actuation thereby, along with means whereby the limits of adjusting movement of said operated member may be varied as required to determine operative circuits of maximum and minimum movement respectively. The above and other objects and features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and will be thereafter pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away showing an illustrative embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof taken in section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional details of the operating cam taken on section lines, 3-3, 4 1, and 55 respectively of Fig. 1.

The mechanism to be operated and controlled as herein illustratively shown is a pair of oppositely mounted eyeleting devices 1, 2, cooperative with a material support 3 disposed therebetwcen. These cyeleting devices are carried at the ends of levers 4, 5 having a journal mounting at 6 for movement toward and fromthe material sup: port 3, herein shown as in a vertical direction. The levers 4-, 5 and their journal bearing 6 are carried in a block 7 pivoted at its ends on the pointed pins 8, 9 to turn in a direction transverse to the swing of levers 4:, 5 or as shown horizontally. The pivot pins 8, 9 are shown as carried inarms projecting from a suitable supporting frame 10. The levers 4, 5 have at their inner portions rolls 11, 12 respectively adapted to be acted on, the one by a cam 13 and the other by a cam 14;, these being wide peripheral cams mounted-side by side on a shaft 15 suitably j ournaled in the frame work. The rolls 11, 12 are held pressed against their respective cams by a tension spring 16 fixed at its ends to the respective lever ends. It is required that the eyeleting devices 1, 2 be moved laterally back and forth to feed the material in addition to their endwise movement and for this purpose the levers a, 5 are given a controlled swinging movement, the block 7 turning on the pivot pins 8, 9. v

In accordance with my invention this feeding movement is efiected by a cam having an operating face presenting a series of 0perative circuits of different contour which may be selectively engaged by a member carried with the operated mechanism, 6. 9., the eyeleting devices. This cam is shown as a lateral face cam 17 also fixed on the shaft 15 and which may be formed in one with the peripheral cam 13. This cam is shown with an operating rise 18 at one side extending around to an opposite descent 19 for giving reciprocating movement to roll 20 which rides thereon. By reference especially to the sectional views, Figs. 3, 4- 'and 5, it will be seen that the contour of the raised or outwardly projecting cam portion between the rise 18 and the descent 19 is not uniform radially of the cam disk but slopes from a relatively low peripheral portion 21 to a relatively high or more projected portion 22 near the center of the cam disk, thus presenting a series of operative circuits for the roll 20 as the cam rotates, adapted to act variably on the roll for shifting it and the operated elements such as the eyeleting devices shown, by variable amounts according to whether said roll is near the periphery or nearerthe center of the face of the cam disk. It will be noted that this lateral cam presents at one side a flat neutral portion 220 which extends in from the periphery to the extent of the'limit of adjustment of the roll 20% and this flat portion which thus determin'es one limit of feed morementof the working mechanism, 6.. 9., the eyeleting devices, causes this limit to lee-fixed, whatever may be the other limit of the variable movement as elfected .by the radial adjustment ofthe roll 20: This is of importance forper mitting the; working movement of the working mechanism at this point so that such working movement is always effected at the samepo int, 6., at such -xed limit of the feed movement whatever may be the variahly adjusted extent of such fGGCliIIElONG- ment; thus: the punch and set of an eyeleting mechanism will be properly positioned with reference tothe stationary punch block and clenching surface whatever may be the extent of later-al throw of such punchand set between working movements for effecting the feeding. The roll 20.'i,sshown as, carried on .a jjournal post 23: slida-bly fitted in a sleevebracket2d fixed to thejou-rnal; block 7. A. spring 25 fixed at one end tothe frame workand at its other end to. a projection. 26 from the post 23 holds. the roll 20. in engagementnwiththe lateral cam face. The roll 20 is normally held at an outer limit of movement by a springQZ pressing upon the end of. post23-and housed in the sleeve block 2d with a backing inthe same. I provide means. whereby the roll 20 may be moved from its outer position and held to traverse a predetermined operative circuit of the cam 17.. F or this purpose a. hell crank lever 28 is fulcrumed at 29 :on the post 7 with one arm 28- pivotally engaged at 30 with the post23. through a slot 31 in slecvefli, the,

' other arm 28 of said bell crank lever extending out horizontally with a link connection 30 which may lead to an operating treadle (not, shown) In accordance with my invention means is-provided whereby the inner limit of movement of the roll 20 and also its: outer limit of movement on the cam'iiace 1 9 may be varied as desired and for this purpose I provide-for engagement with the lever arm 28. upper and lower stops 32,, 33 shown as eccentrics mounted to. turn" onbearin-gs 343. Theseeccentricsare shown as equipped: with a series of spaced apart notches 35 engageable by spring detents 36 to hold them yieldingly in any adjustedposition to which they may be set. Thus both eccentric stops are as shown adapted to. permit the maximum range of adjustment of the roll 20, i. 6., by drawing down on the link 30 the feed imparted to the eyeleting devices 1, 2 may be instantly changed from :the minimum of which the machine is capable to the maximum. If it be desired to va'rysaid minim-um feed, 6. 9., to: change from an eyelet spacing of, say threeeighths to one of scven-sixteenths inch, the upper eccentric stop 32 may be turned around from the position shown to-another position which may be graduated to-indicate the desired change of feed, the eccentric stop in this new position limiting the upper movement of the arm 2 andhence causing the roll 20-.tofoccupy apositi-on farther in on the ca face 19' where-it will engage, an operative circuit with a higher. or more projected cam rise. kit will be understood that from such new position the roll may be shifted to instantly changethe feed 'to the maximum :as-before, by pressing-down on the link '30,.and if it be desired to; varythe maximiuu feed obtainable by movingdown thelink 3t) this may be-quiclalyefl'ectedby turning the lower-eccentric stop 33to a new adjusted position where it, will limit the downward movement ofthe arm-28 and hence limit the inward adjustment of roll 20 so that. it will, not engage-so,- high a porti-on'of the cam its operative circuit as before. It is tobemnderstoed that theparticular provision shown variably limiting the rangeof adjustment of the operated element, 2'.- e.,=the roll 20,; and consisting in the present-embodiment in the eccentrics 32, 331 ismerely illustrative, as is alsothe construction of bell crank lever 28', and spring pressed post 23 for their purpose, all these elements in a broader aspect of the invention being intended merely to typify any suitable means for effecting-the adjustment of the operatedumember varying one or both limits ofsuchadjustment so that, it will traverse selected operative. circuits adapted to. actuate itvto a predetermined extent: variable. as required.

lllhil'e the invention-in its; broader aspectsv .lever as. far as it will go. as determinedby the adjustment of the. lower eccentric stop,

the roll 20 will traverse an operative circuit on the face cam that produce a-larger feednaovement at-each stroke as required for the spacing of the line,- of hooks in the upper of the shoe. I am aware that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof and I therefore desire the present embodiment as to details of construction, as well as to the use herein suggest-ed, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, referring rather to the appended claims to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A variable feed mechanism, comprising a cam mounted for rotation and formed to present operative circuits of different contour for variably moving an operated member according to the circuit traversed thereby, an operated member, said cam and said operated member being relatively adjustable for the cam to present its different operative circuits to said member, at will, and working mechanism connected to said operated member to have feed movement imparted thereto by said operated member and having means for imparting working movement thereto at one limit of such feed movement, said cam being formed with a neutral flatportion controlling said operated member at said limit of feed movement whereby said limit of movement at which said working mechanism operates is invariable throughout the adjustment of said operated member.

2. A variable feed mechanism, comprising a cam, a member to be operated thereby for actuating a member to be fed, said cam and said operated member having mountings for relative operative movement, and also for relative adjustment for-said member to traverse di'derent operative circuits of said cam, said cam being formed so that it presents a series of operative circuits of different contour adapted to variably move said operated member, and working mechanism connected to said operated member to have feed movement imparted thereto by said operated member and having means for imparting working movement thereto at one limit of such feed movement, said cam being formed with a neutral fiat portion controlling said operated member atsaid limit of feed movement whereby said limit of movement at which said working mechanism operates is invariable throughout the adjustment of said operated member.

8. A variable feed mechanism, comprising a lateral face cam mounted for rotation having a contour projecting at different distances from its periphery toward its center, an operated member mounted in position to be moved by said cam, means for moving said operated member radially of said cam to vary the extent of its operative movement, and working mechanism connected to said operated member to have feed movement imparted thereto by said operated member and having means for imparting working movement thereto at one limit of such feed movement, said cam being formed with a neutral fiat portion controlling said operated member at said limit of feed movement whereby said limit of movement at which said working mechanism operates is invariable throughout the adjustment of said operated member.

i. A variable feed mechanism, comprising a rotatable cam having portions adapted to present different operative circuits of varying contour to a member to be operated thereby for variably actuating said member, amember mounted in operative relation to said cam, means for adjusting said member to co-act with different operative circuits of said cam for variable actuation thereby, means for varying the limits of adjustment of said member for the purpose stated, and working mechanism connected to said operated member to have feed movement imparted thereto by said operated member and having means for imparting working movement thereto at one limit of such feed movement, said cam being formed with a neutral flat portion controlling said operated member at said limit of feed movement whereby said limit of movement at which said working mechanism operates is invariable throughout the adjustment of said operated member.

A variable feed mechanism, comprising an element to be moved for feeding purposes, a cam for moving said element intermittently and automatically, means for varying the position of said element with respect to said cam to vary the extent of such movement for feeding, means for adjustably limiting the extent of such variation, and working mechanism connected to have feeding movement imparted thereto by said element, and having also means for imparting working movements thereto at one limit of such feed movement, said cam having a flat neutral portion operative on said element at such limit of movement of a nature such that said limit is invariable throughout the variation of the extent of feed, so that said working movement is always at the same point.

6. A variable feed mechanism, comprising an element- 'to be moved for feeding purposes, means for moving said element intermittently and automatically, means for varying the extent of such movement, means for adjustably limiting the extent of such variation at both the maximum and minimum limits of feed movement, and Working mechanism connected to have feeding movement imparted thereto by said element and having also means for impartin working movements thereto at one limit 0 such feed movement, said element moving means constructed and arranged to return said element to the same position at one limit of movement thereofathroughout the variations in the extentof feedmovement,-so that said Working: movement iswalvvays at the same point.

7. A variablevfeed mechanism, comprising a rotatable lateral face .cam having'an operativeprojecting portion varying in degree. of projection from its periphery toward-its center, an operated member mounted in positionito be actuated: by said cam and also for adjustment radially-thereofto vary the extent-ofits actuation, means for adjustably limitin the adjustment ozt said member in both 'CllIGCtiODS to vary both the maximum and minimumulimits of movement thereof, and -:Working mechanisnr connected to said operated member to have'feed movement im. partedthereto by said operated member. and having means for imparting Working movement thereto atone limit of suchfeed movement, said cam being formed With-aneutral fiat portion oontroll-ingsaid operated mem ber at said: limit of feed movement whereby said-limit of: movement at which said Work r ing *mechanism operates is invariable throughout vthe adj ustment of said operated member.

8. Apparatus of the kind described,?comcopiescct flflfi patent may tie-obtained. for five cents each, bycafidressing the zcommi'ssioner :1)! Patents;

prising: eyeletin'g mechanism, means for impartingieed movements to said-mechanism circuits, an element connected :With said eye leting mechanism. for engagement: with said cam means for adjusting said-element to traverse difi'erent circuits of said cam for varying the feed movement, with means for varyingthe limits of-suchadjustment, and means-:ior imparting operative movements to said eyeleting mechanism connected to be operated in timed :relation to said feed movements atthe limit ofsuchfeed movement determined by: said neutral cam. porti'on w hereby said operative movements are always at. the samepoint regardless of the extent ot-iit'eedunovement. n:

In testimony whereof, I .havesigned my n'ameto. this specificationinthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRANK L; 'HARMON.

Witnesses:

CLYDE L. Romans, LOUISE A.: JORDAN.

Washington, I). 0. 

